Key



April 18, 1939. I BRILL 2,155,297 7 KEY Filed Sept. 20, 1937 ArbgZflJrill,

INVENTOR NNNNN ss ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in keys and more particularly to the structures thereof.

It frequently happens that when a key breaks 5 off in a look a portion remains therein, due to the fact that its weakest part is at the point in the structure which is inserted within the lock. Therefore, when a key is broken in a lock, part of the blade or shank remains therein and can only be withdrawn with great difficulty, oftentimes necessitating the services of a lock-smith to accomplish it.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a key equipped with means for readily withdrawing the broken portion remaining in the lock.

Another object of my invention is to provide a key having means for securing the broken portions together upon breakage.

A further object of my invention is to provide a key having means incorporated therewith to strengthen the structure and prevent the same from breaking.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on a line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on a line 4-4 Of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form.

In carrying out my invention, a key structure comprising a body In is fashioned with a bow or finger-piece ll formed with an extended shank l2. The shank, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, is provided with a reduced section l3 having wards 14 for actuating a lock mech-' anism. Within the key structure and extending longitudinally therethrough is a core element [5 said element being of a greater tensility than the key structure serves to tie the portions together when the key is broken. The core element is preferably constructed in the form of a Wire strand, although it is to be distinctly understood that any other suitable form may be utilized.

Obviously, should the key be broken in a lock,

the core element, being attached to both portions, will serve to withdraw the broken portions from the lock.

Fig. 5 illustrates a slightly modified form wherein a pair of core elements I6 are utilized 5 to effect greater strength to the key structure and for extracting the key from the look as a unit when a portion has been broken on within the lock.

While I have shown and illustrated a preferred 1 embodiment of my invention in connection with the so-called flat blade type of key, it is to be understood that keys of various other designs, such as, those employing cylindrical shanks having lock operating members formed thereon, may 15 be constructed in accordance with my invention without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A key having a member incorporated there- 0 in and of a suflicient strength for maintaining broken parts of the key in connected condition for Withdrawal from a look upon breakage.

2. A key having a permanently incorporated 25 member extending longitudinally therein, said member of a sufiicient strength for maintaining broken parts of the key in connected condition for withdrawal from a look upon breakage.

3. A key fashioned with a finger-piece having 30 a shank extending therefrom, and a member fixed within said finger-piece and said shank and of a sufiicient strength whereby upon breakage of said shank to maintain the parts thereof connected to said finger-piece for withdrawal from 35 a lock.

4. A key comprising a body integrally fashioned with end sections and a permanently incorporated wire within said. end sections and of a sufficient strength for effecting a tie between said 40 sections to maintain the latter in connected condition upon separation of said sections by breakage.

5. A key formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending permanently incorporated members, said members of a sufiicient strength to coact with said key upon breakage to maintain broken parts of the latter in connected condition whereby to permit withdrawal of said key from a lock in unitary condition. 50

ARVEL A. BRILL. 

